HB 797 creates Louisiana's "Bayou Gold Program," which establishes a certification system for businesses offering gold- and silver-backed financial services. To qualify, businesses must store allocated precious metals (100% backed by physical metal held separately from their assets) in compliant depositories, allow physical redemption within five days, and maintain strict ownership transparency. The Louisiana Department of the Treasury will administer the program, maintain a public registry of certified businesses, and enforce penalties for false claims. The bill explicitly states it does not create state guarantees or operate a government-run financial system.
HB 769 requires courts to hold a domestic abuse offender without bail for 48-72 hours (a "cooling off" period) after arrest for specific offenses like domestic abuse battery, violation of protective orders, or stalking involving family, household, or dating partners. This applies to defendants charged with offenses listed in the bill, directly affecting those arrested for these crimes and the courts handling their cases. The bill mandates a court hearing about bail conditions within five days (excluding weekends/holidays) if bail isn't set immediately during this holding period. It does not change the definition of offenses but modifies the immediate detention and hearing process for these cases. The law aims to provide safety time for victims before bail decisions.
HB 796 establishes rules for supervised chiropractic student training in Louisiana. It defines "preceptee" (chiropractic student) and "preceptor" (licensed chiropractor), requiring preceptors to have at least five years of active licensure and be board-licensed to delegate tasks. The bill allows preceptors to delegate adjustments/manipulations to enrolled students in clinic settings, but prohibits delegating diagnosis or treatment plans, and mandates preceptors be physically onsite during procedures. Preceptees may not represent themselves as licensed chiropractors, and violations of these rules could lead to disciplinary action by the Louisiana Board of Chiropractic Examiners. This directly affects chiropractic students, licensed preceptors, and the board's oversight of training programs.
HB 571 permanently establishes a Complex Litigation Section within Louisiana's Nineteenth Judicial District Court. The bill amends court statutes to create this dedicated section for handling complex civil cases, replacing a temporary pilot program. It directly affects the Nineteenth Judicial District Court by formalizing its structure for managing intricate litigation matters. The key provision is the permanent creation of this specialized court section, streamlining case management for complex cases without changing substantive law.
HB 386 clarifies funding rules for Louisiana charter schools by requiring that Type 1, 3, 3B (non-LEA), and Type 4 charter schools receive per-pupil funding based on the state's minimum foundation program, adjusted for student needs. The bill allows these schools to operate as their own local education agency (LEA) for funding purposes with local school board approval, while Type 2 and 5 charter schools are automatically treated as the LEA. It also authorizes the state to withhold 0.25% of certain fees from charter schools to cover administrative costs for financial oversight. This affects all Louisiana charter schools receiving state funding and standardizes their financial relationship with local districts.
HB 783 defines "milk" to include animal milks like goat, sheep, and water buffalo, and creates a new category for "non-lactational dairy protein products" (foods made via microbial fermentation without animal lactation). It prohibits state agencies (including schools and hospitals) from purchasing or serving these products and bans their manufacture, distribution, or labeling as "milk." Manufacturers must label such products with a clear disclosure: "Produced through microbial fermentation. Not derived from mammalian lactation" in 14-point font on the product label. This directly affects state food buyers, dairy manufacturers, and companies producing plant-based alternatives.
HB 578, the "Restoring Biological Truth Act," amends Louisiana statutes to replace the term "gender" with "sex" in all legal references, defining "sex" as an individual's biological sex at birth (male or female). The bill specifically requires that "sex" be used instead of "gender" in civil codes, court documents, workforce reporting (e.g., R.S. 4:158.2), child custody forms (e.g., R.S. 13:1856), and diversity language for boards (e.g., R.S. 3:1493), while clarifying that gender identity cannot substitute for biological sex. It directly affects state agencies, courts, and organizations collecting demographic data or drafting legal documents. The bill does not create new restrictions but changes terminology across 50+ statutes to align with the defined biological sex standard.
HB 335 requires state agencies, local governments, and organizations administering federal, state, or local public benefits (like food assistance or housing programs) to verify applicants' U.S. citizenship or valid immigration status under federal law. It mandates that entities must verify citizenship before approving benefits, with specific procedures for cases where applicants lack proper status. The bill also requires these entities to undergo annual audits by the legislative auditor and submit yearly reports to state leadership detailing how many applicants were referred to immigration authorities or had benefits terminated due to citizenship verification. These reports must include statistics on referrals to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and terminations of public assistance under the law.
HB 638 requires owners to pay contractors for commercial construction work within 35 days of a written request, and contractors to pay subcontractors and suppliers within 7 days of receiving owner funds. It imposes daily penalties of 1.5% for late payments (capped at 15% total), plus interest at 1.5% per day and attorney fees for nonpayment. The law applies to construction on non-residential property, excluding residential projects, and allows affected parties to sue for unpaid amounts. Key provisions include mandatory proportional payments based on work completed and nullifying any waivers of these requirements.
HB 807 establishes a special fund within Louisiana's state treasury to support the Community and Technical College System's workforce training programs. It directly affects community colleges and private-sector employers in high-demand industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology by providing funding to hire more instructors and expand training capacity. Key provisions include using the fund for rapid-response instructor deployment, recruitment incentives, temporary instructors, and salary supplements - while prohibiting these funds from replacing existing state higher education funding. The program requires annual reporting to legislative committees on fund usage, supported industries, and credentials awarded.
HB 730 prohibits using data from automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) systems - technology that tracks aircraft location, altitude, and speed - to calculate or collect fees from aircraft owners or operators in Louisiana. It directly affects pilots, airlines, and airport authorities by preventing the use of this surveillance data for billing purposes. The law allows airport authorities to set fees and enforce payments but bans fee calculations based on ADS-B data, with violations punishable by fines up to $500 per occurrence. This clarifies that ADS-B data, used for air traffic safety, cannot be monetized for aircraft-related charges.
HB 511 creates a grant program within Louisiana's Commission on Law Enforcement to fund pursuit intervention technologies for state, parish, and municipal police departments. The bill authorizes funding for specific safety tools like GPS tracking projectiles, vehicle-stopping nets, and remote tire deflation devices to safely end high-speed chases. Agencies must integrate these technologies into their use-of-force policies to qualify for grants, with priority given to those emphasizing reduced manual deployment risks. Funds may come from state, federal, or other sources aligned with Louisiana's Strategic Highway Safety Plan. The program aims to improve officer and public safety during vehicle pursuits by supporting technology adoption.
